GOTTA BE NC

Beaches and Outdoors

From sandy Atlantic beaches to the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina is a haven for outdoor lovers. Hiking, surfing, fishing, and camping are part of everyday life.

The Coastline

  • Over 300 miles of coastline and barrier islands (Outer Banks, Crystal Coast, Cape Hatteras).
  • Popular activities: swimming, surfing, kayaking, and deep-sea fishing.
  • Lighthouses like Cape Hatteras and Bodie Island are iconic attractions.

Mountains & Parks

  • Blue Ridge Parkway: Called “America’s Favorite Drive,” especially during autumn.
  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Shared with Tennessee; most visited U.S. national park.
  • Mount Mitchell: Tallest peak in the eastern U.S. at 6,684 feet.

State Parks & Trails

  • 40+ state parks with hiking, camping, boating, and waterfalls.
  • Appalachian Trail passes through the western part of the state.

The Highlights

  • Great Smoky Mountains National Park – The most visited U.S. national park, offering misty forest hikes, waterfalls, the Appalachian Trail, and scenic drives like the Deep Creek area. 
  • Blue Ridge Parkway – Dubbed “America’s favorite drive,” this 469-mile scenic road runs through NC’s mountains, with waterfalls, visitor centers (like Mabry Mill), hiking trails, and picnic spots. 
  • Outer Banks & Cape Lookout – This iconic 200-mile barrier island chain is beloved for its beaches, maritime history, wild horses, and activities like surfing, fishing, and lighthouse climbs—especially within Cape Lookout National Seashore.
  • The Biltmore Estate (Asheville) – America’s largest private home – an expansive 8,000-acre Vanderbilt mansion with 250 rooms, lush gardens, a winery, shopping, lodging, and historic exhibits. 
  • Grandfather Mountain – Features the iconic “Mile-High Swinging Bridge,” wildlife habitats (black bears, otters, eagles), museum exhibits, and panoramic views (up to 100 miles on clear days), plus the annual Highland Games. 
  • Mount Mitchell State Park – The NC State Park system’s first, founded 1915. Home to the highest peak east of the Mississippi (6,366 ft), with paved paths and sweeping 360° vistas from the summit platform. 
  • Chimney Rock State Park – Recently reopened after Hurricane Helene closures, this park features a towering granite monolith, an elevator to the top, and panoramic views over Lake Lure and Hickory Nut Gorge. 
  • Wright Brothers National Memorial – In Kill Devil Hills, the site commemorates the first powered flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright. The Art Deco monument and visitor center are part of a 428-acre National Park Service site. 
  • Wilmington & Battleship NC – Wilmington’s Riverwalk, historic homes, gardens, museums, and award-winning aquarium make it a coastal cultural hub. Nearby you can tour the WWII-era USS North Carolina battleship.
  • Hidden Gems & Offbeat Attractions – Discover quirky and lesser-known spots: the Cryptozoology & Paranormal Museum (Bigfoot, Feejee mermaids), Blue Ghost Fireflies in Hendersonville, the abandoned Hunger Games film site (“Road to Nowhere”), acclaimed art installations like Cloud Chamber for the Trees and Sky, and more. 
  • Charming Mountain Towns & Waterfalls – Regions like Banner Elk, Boone, Highlands, Cashiers, Sylva, Brevard, and Blowing Rock offer serene retreats full of waterfalls, lakes, art, trails, and local flare – perfect for weekend getaways. 
  • Lexington Barbecue Festival – In Lexington, NC – known as the “Barbecue Capital of the World”—this massive annual festival in October draws up to 200,000 visitors for classic regional BBQ and food celebration.